Colorado has joined several other states and cities in a lawsuit trying to block the Trump administration from asking a citizenship question on the 2020 census.

"We have a responsibility to Colorado to see that every person is counted," term-limited, Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a written statement Tuesday. "Our action seeks to ensure the census is being used for its intended purpose under the Constitution. An accurate census count protects federal funding and our representation in Congress."

The governor's office says 18 states, the District of Columbia and several cities and counties are also part of the legal action.

Hickenlooper's move to add Colorado to the lawsuit comes in direct opposition to a position taken last month by Colorado's Republican attorney general, Cynthia Coffman, to support the Trump administration's move to add a citizenship question to the next census.